The progressive Knockfierna (6m Flemensfirth-Garden Town, by Un Desperado) was another classy winner for Flemensfirth when landing the G2 Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase at Cork on Sunday.

The Charles Byrnes-trained mare, a G2 winner over hurdles last season, had won a Wexford beginners’ chase on her previous outing before she ran away with the 2m 1f Cork chase by four and a quarter lengths.

Byrnes understandably now feels that the mare, who was bred by Karina Healy, has earned another step up in class.

“She was a bit sloppy at her fences early on but she is really coming to herself now,” Byrnes told www.racingpost.com. “I’d say 2m 4f is really her ideal trip and we’ll look at the Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas.”